Polylactic Acid (PLA) is the first viable thermoplastic that can be produced from a plant-based feedstock such as corn or sugar cane, and yet be processed by the conventional melt processing technologies. At the same time, Polylactic Acid is produced at the largest industrial scale of all biodegradable polymers. It is being used in biomedical applications, for bottle production and in compostable food packaging. It is also being evaluated as a material for tissue engineering. Mass production has tremendously reduced the cost of PLA production, making it an economically viable choice for fabrication of domestic containers, plastic bags, and fibers. Commercial-scale plants today produce hundreds of thousand tons of PLA per year.

This book provides a practical guide for the engineers and scientists involved in working with PLA and developing the many new products that are emerging for this important biopolymer. The current market situation for PLA and biodegradable polymers is described as well as applications across a range of market sectors, and the mechanical, chemical, thermal, rheology, and degradation properties of PLA.

• An essential reference for engineers, scientists and product designers considering switching to a sustainable plastic.
• Covers the properties, synthesis and polymerization of PLA, and processing techniques involved in fabricating parts from this polymer.

Lee Tin Sin is a researcher, professional engineer and associate professor. He graduated with Bachelor of Engineering (Chemical-Polymer) First Class Honours and Ph.D in Polymer Engineering from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia. Dr. Lee has been involved in rubber processing, biopolymer, nanocomposite and polymer synthesis with more than 100 publications of journal papers, book chapters and conferences. He was the recipient of the Society of Chemical Engineers Japan Award for Outstanding Asian Researcher and Engineer 2018 for his contribution on polymer researches. He was also conferred Meritorious Service Medal (PJK) by the Sultan of Selangor State, Malaysia in year 2019. He co-authored 'Polylactic Acid' (Elsevier), the First and Second Editions which were published in 2012 and 2019, respectively.

1. Initial Glance over Polylactic acid2. Synthesis and Production of Polylactic Acid3. Thermal Properties of Polylactic acid4. Chemical Properties of Polylactic acid5. Mechanical Properties of Polylactic Acid6. Rheology Properties of Polylactic Acid7. Degradation and Stability of Polylactic Acid8. Applications of Polylactic Acid